The locals simply call it “The Sea”. Lake Biwa is in Shiga Prefecture, butting up against the ancient capital of Kyoto, just a 10 minute train ride away. Known as Kyoto’s Garden, Shiga is a food lover’s paradise. For centuries its mountains and farmland have provided ingredients to some of the best kitchens in Japan, but the jewel is its lake, and the myriad of fish it contains, many only to be found in Lake Biwa’s waters: Biwa trout, a freshwater salmon unique to Lake Biwa, Nigoro-buna, a small carp used to make funazushi, the 1400-year-old origins of sushi and a local delicacy, or Higai, a small carp so favoured by Emperor Meiji that it has the imperial characters embedded in its name.

All this was what Mitch Tonks, UK chef and restauranteur, had come to see. First stop, Oki Island. A fishing village just a ten minute boat ride from Omi Hachiman, Oki Island is like stepping into another time. With no cars on the island, the main form of transport is tricycles, their baskets filled with fishing gear, fresh vegetables from the allotments, and more often than not cats! Lunch at Mizunosei Cafe on the waterfront is a feast of deep-fried lake shrimps, vegetable tempura and pickles, rice and soup, with every ingredient coming from the island or surrounding waters. Back on the mainland in Omi Hachiman, head to the Sanmatsu deli for some fabulous home-cooked takeaway dishes, and then stroll among the merchant’s houses and along the Hachiman Bori canal, seeped in samurai history.

A little further north is Hikone, with its castle perched on a hill. Leading to the main gates is Castle Street, beautifully restored to its 18th century splendour, and lined with shops selling delicacies old and new. Taste a selection of local teas at Mandokoroen, choose your favourite wagyu beef bento box from Sennaritei across the street, purveyors of the famous Omi Beef, the original wagyu brand with over 400 years of history. At Sazanami liquour store you can try a sample of local sakes, including Matsu No Tsukasa where Mitch was shown round the traditional brewery. Try Biwa trout wraps, or if you’re feeling brave maybe even funazushi ice-cream at Ayu no Kimura?

And when you have eaten your fill, take a stroll along the lakeshore, and watch the sun setting slowly into “The Sea”.

Kiki-cha Japanese Tea Tasting [Mandokoro-En]

Founded in 1756, Mandokoro-en is a teahouse specializing fine Japanese teas.
We have a wide selection of organic and agrichemical-free teas.

Ohmi Tourism Board

Ohmi Tourism Board is a DMO (Destination Management/Marketing Organization) registered to the Japan Tourism Agency on the 26th of February in 2016.

Ohmi (Shiga Prefecture) is located roughly in the center of JAPAN. It is the site of Biwako, Japan’s largest lake. The Easternside of Biwako is designated as a special historical site.

We effectively transmit the rich history and the traditional culture of Ohmi in order to invite people from around the world. We promote the creation of sightseeing and aim for ‘one stop service’ in organizing local tours for our clients, with the hope that Ohmi will become an area they cannot wait to visit!